Streams

Ben Zimmer

Ben Zimmer appears in the following:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Ben Zimmer, the On Language columnist for the New York Times SundayMagazine, discusses recent invented words: from Sarah Palin’s recent use of the word “refudiate,” to words like "ginormous," which have become part of the popular lexicon. We’ll be taking calls!

What are some of your favorite—or least favorite—made up words? Tell us by leaving a comment!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Legendary announcer Bob Sheppard is being honored at Yankee Stadium today. We follow up on a particular quirk in his delivery. Ben Zimmer, writer of the "On Language" column in the NY Times Magazine, talks about Sheppard's voice and why people spoke so differently way back when. Plus, did Ronald Reagan really make your car's bumper less effective?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

For more than two months, we've tracked news and developments of the Gulf oil spill. But is it technically a "spill?" The broken pipe is spilling (or gushing, or spewing, or leaking) as many as 30,000 to 60,000 gallons of oil a day. Is it time for some new terminology? What would you call the oil spill, and why?

Friday, March 19, 2010

Linguist, lexicographer and the new "On Language" columnist for the New York Times Magazine, Ben Zimmer, talks about the latest in political language and about how he'll approach taking over for the late William Safire, the founder of the "On Language" column.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The House is set to vote on health reform this weekend. New York Times columnists David Brooks and Gail Collins discuss the messy politics around the final push for this legislation. And, day laborers from New York are marching en masse to Washington D.C. Hear what they want from Congress. ...

Friday, August 14, 2009

The Metropolitan Opera's production of La Sonnambula was booed recently by fans because of the postmodern staging by director Mary Zimmerman. Jessica Simpson was recently razzed for forgetting the lyrics to her songs. Today we ask whether booing is ever appropriate, and we find out about the origins of booing. ...

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

The Metropolitan Opera's production of La Sonnambula was booed recently by fans because of the postmodern staging by director Mary Zimmerman. Jessica Simpson was recently razzed for forgetting the lyrics to her songs. Today we ask whether booing is ever appropriate, and we find out about the origins of booing. ...

Ben Zimmer Newsfeed

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